At a Glance
A Small, Intimate Elementary School with a Progressive Vision in Changing East Harlem
Families seeking a small, intimate progressive elementary school experience where their child will be known as an individual. Parents who value the 10:1 teacher ratio and are comfortable navigating the complexities of a gentrifying neighborhood. This is a fit for families who prioritize community feel over institutional size and who want their elementary-age child in an environment dedicated specifically to young learners.
- Tiny scale: only 259 students across PK-5th grade creates an intimate community feel
- Excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.4:1 means more individualized attention
- Elementary-only focus means all resources and programming are designed specifically for young learners
- Nonsectarian progressive philosophy with likely emphasis on social-emotional development
- Strong transit access (80/100) makes this reachable from across the city
- Very low safety score (12/100) — parents should visit the neighborhood at different times and talk to current families to understand the actual day-to-day reality
- The unusual demographic data (100% Multiracial/Other, Diversity Index of 0) is difficult to interpret — ask the school directly about community composition
- As a private school, tuition applies — budget this into your planning
- Elementary-only means you'll need to navigate school choice again for middle school
- The neighborhood has been changing rapidly; what's true today may evolve
This is a small private elementary school with a nonsectarian, progressive orientation. The name 'Country School' hints at values that extend beyond urban academics — many schools with this naming tradition emphasize experiential learning, outdoor education, and character development alongside academic rigor. The coed classroom environment serves the youngest learners (PK-5th grade) in a deliberately intimate setting.
The student body numbers just 259 children across pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, creating a tightly knit campus feel. The demographic data shows 100% of students recorded as Multiracial/Other, which is unusual and may reflect how families identified or how data was collected rather than a literal composition. What this does suggest: this is likely a school where many families have chosen a progressive, intentionally diverse environment for their elementary-age children.
East Harlem (South) is a neighborhood of contrasts. The area around 96th Street has seen waves of change — long a working-class immigrant community with strong Puerto Rican and Latino roots, parts of the neighborhood have gentrified significantly while others maintain their historic character. The safety score of 12/100 is notably low, reflecting either historical data or perceptions that may not match the current reality on the ground. The transit score of 80/100 is excellent — this is a highly connected part of Manhattan with easy access to multiple subway lines.
The location near 96th Street puts this school in one of the most transit-accessible parts of East Harlem. Families living in Manhattan will find this straightforward to reach; suburban commuters should consider the logistics carefully, as driving and parking in this area can be challenging.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Highly positive reviews praising diverse community, rigorous academics, farm program, and inclusive environment; Niche rating 4.82/5, Private School Review 5/5
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in East Harlem (South).
- What grades does MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL serve?
- MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL?
- MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL in?
- MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL is in East Harlem (South), Manhattan.
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